preview

Japanese Air Assault On Pearl Harbor Essay

Decent Essays

The Japanese air assault on Pearl Harbor was a defining moment ever. The reasons for the assault on Pearl Harbor originated from an escalating Japanese-American competition in the Pacific. Japan 's supreme aspirations had been apparent from as right on time as 1931, when she attacked Manchuria. The vanquished region 's abundant assets were then used to supply Japan 's war machine.
In March 1940 Japan began the steps towards war by establishing a Chinese puppet-government in Nanking.With its possession of the Chinese ports, Japan wanted to close the remaining entry points into China. Pressure was put on France to stop the flow of supplies through Indochina, and on Britain to do the same with the Burma Road. Both complied, but Britain did so only until October 1940, when the road was reopened. Germany, Italy and Japan signed the Tripartite Pact in Berlin on September 27th. They agreed to jointly oppose any country joining the Allies at war - by which they meant the United States. Vichy France finally agreed to the stationing of Japanese troops in northern Indochina.
In April 1941 the Five Year Neutrality Pact between Japan and Russia benefited both powers. Russia could free troops for Europe and Japan concentrate on her expansion southwards. In July The demand for bases in southern Indochina was now conceded by Vichy France. Britain, Holland and the United States protested and froze Japanese assets, but the troops went in. The Dutch East lndies cancelled oil delivery

Get Access